This exclusive aesthetic clinic embraces the colour black through durable and sophisticated materials

It is uncommon for black to be the chosen tone in a clinic, yet in this case, it was precisely what the professionals at VARBA Arquitectura had to implement. “The project had to ensure a clear sense of cleanliness, order, and professionalism, avoiding any negative connotations associated with this colour,” the architects recall.

The work they refer to was a commission from Facexpert, a leading facial aesthetic surgery centre located on the Costa del Sol, which has black as part of its identity. But how to introduce it? “In an initial phase, we considered the possibility of resolving some walls solely with paint, but we quickly dismissed it as it did not offer the ease of cleaning or the durability required for an intensively used healthcare space,” explain professionals María Vargas and Ana Baena.

Finally, both the black in the common areas and the light tones in the consultation rooms were resolved with “continuous surfaces, architectural lighting, and high-quality finishes” that turned the challenge into an opportunity, transforming black into a sophisticated and distinctive element aligned with the company’s image and far from conventional clinical aesthetics.

Among these cutting-edge materials, DKTN stands out, used in various applications: “From the beginning, we knew we wanted to use DKTN for the flooring as it is the most stable and durable solution, capable of ensuring good long-term performance. We then decided to extend the material to the façade, cladding the slats specifically designed for this project, which reinforced the continuity between interior and exterior and brought the brand’s identity into the urban space,” explain VARBA Arquitectura.

One of the colours chosen for the flooring was DKTN Somnia, a deep black with veins in brown and oxidised white, which also extends to the wall, some custom-made furniture for the project, and the façade. In the consultation rooms, with softer tones, DKTN Kovik was selected thanks to its light neutral shade and subtle natural veining.

“DKTN surfaces have been used in large formats on floors and horizontal claddings, with the aim of creating visual continuity, reducing joints, and enhancing the sense of cleanliness and precision. In the corridor, this material has even been extended to the panelling of the doors, integrating them into the whole and enhancing a unified and highly architectural reading of the space,” explain María Vargas and Ana Baena.

DKTN Kovik is combined on worktops and claddings with DKTN Argentium, a grey with a trowelled effect reminiscent of lime stuccoes. It is also present in the reception area, where it accompanies DKTN Somnia on the floor and cladding, as well as the striking Sensa Maori.

“In the reception counter and the washbasin unit, marble from the Sensa series has been used, in both cases in pieces specifically designed by the studio. With these, we aimed to bring nobility, elegance, and greater presence to the space,” explain the architects about the application of this Brazilian granite with stain-resistant protection. DKTN Micron, with its dark tone and slight chromatic gradations, has also been used in the bathroom cladding.

VARBA Arquitectura praises the variety of solutions available from the company, which has allowed them to choose both DKTN and Sensa in different colours. This, in their words, has facilitated coherence between the various elements of the project.

According to the professionals, working with Cosentino materials has allowed the studio to approach the project with great architectural freedom while maintaining a high level of technical demand. “In an aesthetic clinic, where durability, hygiene, and maintenance are key factors, these materials provide a reliable solution without compromising on a refined aesthetic,” conclude the architects.